Centrifugal control device with two sets of engageable contacts



May 25, 1965 w. J. zoLLMANN, JR 3,185,788

CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH TWO SETS OF ENGAGEABLE CONTACTS May 25,1965 w. J. zoLLMANN, JR 3,185,788

CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH TWO SETS OF ENGAGEABLE CONTACTS FiledDec. 12, 1960 v f y.

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May 25, 1965 3,185,788

CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH TWO SETS OF ENGAGEABLE CONTACTS FiledDec. 12, i960 w. .1. zQLLMANN, JR

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVHVTOR.

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)mL/@M J. 20L-UIMM d2. BY

United States Patent O M 3,185,788 CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH TWOSETS F ENGAGEABLE CONTACTS William J. Zollmann, Jr., Foristell, Mo.,assigner to Wagner Electric Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corpsrationof Delaware Filed Dec. 12, 196i), Ser. No. 75,217 14 Claims. (Cl.Zilli-80) The present invention relates generally to electric switchesand more particularly to electric switch assemblies especially wellsuited for use with speed responsive devices such as centrifugalmechanisms. For example, switches of this type are often used forcontrolling the circuit connections of a dynamoelectric machine such asa single phase electric motor in response to the speed of rotation ofthe motor shaft.

Centrifugal mechanisms, such as used in operating electric motorswitches, generally include a sleeve member and spring biased iiyweightunits rotatable with the motor shaft, the sleeve member also beingaxially movable on the shaft by the iyweight units in response to thespeed of the shaft. The sleeve member is adapted to engage and operatethe actuating member of the switch. Because there is usually a certainamount of eccentric rotation of the shaft and sleeve member, slightunbalance in the rotating parts of the centrifugal mechanism, or slightirregularities in the engaging surfaces of the sleeve member andactuating member, as well as some looseness of the sleeve on the shaft,the sleeve and actuating member of the switch usually wobble when inengagement.

In switches where the abovementioned wobbling eltect is transmitted tothe electrical contacts of the switch, such as where the actuatingmember carries a movable contact, poor contact pressures, increasedwearing, or even intermittent electrical contact may result. This isparticularly true where more than one set of contacts are to be operatedsimultaneously by the switch actuating member. Also, considerable noiseis usually produced as the sleeve member rubs and slaps the switchactuating member unless quieting pads are used between the members; andsuch pads, of course, increase the cost of the switch.

In accordance with the present invention, a switch is provided whereinthe above undesirable effects are greatly reduced or substantiallyeliminated. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, aswitch assembly is provided which includes a biased contact carryingmember having movable Contact means engageable with stationary Contactmeans of the switch assembly, and an actuating member which isengageable with the contact carrying member to effect engagement of themovable and stationary contact means and which is pivotally movablerelative to the Contact carrying member.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improvedswitch assembly which is simple in design, economical to manufacture,and reliable in operation.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved switch adapted to be operated by y a speed responsive devicewherein the contact engagement of associated contacts of the switch whenclosed is substantially unaffected by any wobbling of the speedresponsive device or actuating member of the switch.

Another object is to provide a switch adapted to be operated by a speedresponsive device wherein there is substantially no undesirable relativemovement of associated contacts of the switch when the contacts are tobe maintained closed.

Another object is to provide a novel switch adapted to be operated by acentrifugal mechanism wherein the switch is especially quiet `inoperation.

3,l85,78ii Patented May 25, 1955 ICC Another object is to provide aswitch having more than one set of associated contacts to besimultaneously operated and wherein the contact engagement of theassociated contacts is substantially unaffected by any irregular motionof the switch actuating member.

Another object is to provide an electric switch adapted to be operatedby a centrifugal mechanism mounted on a shaft of a dynamoelectricmachine for controlling the connections of the winding circuit of themachine wherein any undesirable wobbling or irregular motion of theactuating member of the switch or parts of the centrifugal mechanism issubstantially prevented from being transmitted to contacts ofthe switch.

Another object is to provide an improved switch which includes two setsof engageable contacts wherein the contact pressures at the two sets aremaintained substantially equal when the contacts are closed.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved switch especiallywell suited for changing the winding circuit connections of an electricmotor having multiple running windings and a. starting winding.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown and wherein like reference numerals refer to like partswherever they occur.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of adynamoelectric machine provided with a switch assembly embodying thepresent invention,

FIG. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the motor illustrated inFIG. l,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the switch assembly of FIG. l in anotherof its operating conditions,

PEG. 4 is a plan view of the switch assembly as viewed from the rightside thereof in FIG. l,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 4, and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a motor circuit utilizing theimproved switch assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly r to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown a dynamoelectric machine illustrated as a single phaseinduction motor 10 including a housing l2 having a frame 14 and endshields 16 and 1S secured to the ends of the frame by a plurality ofthrough bolts 20. Secured in the housing is a laminated stator coremember 22 provided with slots (not shown) in which suitable windings arearranged. For illustration, the windings of the stator are shownincluding two main or running windings 24 and 26, and a starting winding28.

A conventional squirrel cage type rotor member 30 is shown disposedwithin the bore of the stator core and mounted on a shaft 32 rotatablysupported in suitable bearing structures carried by the end shields 16and 1S.

In the type of induction motor illustrated in the drawings, it isdesirable that the starting winding and a running winding be energizedduring the period when the motor starts and before the speed of themotor reaches a predetermined value. When the speed of the motor reachesthe predetermined value it is desirable to deenergize the startingwinding and thereafter maintain a running winding energized. When themotor is turned off it is, of course, desirable to have the startingwinding reconnected with a main winding as the speed of the motor fallsbelow a certain predetermined value so that the motor will be incondition for restarting. in order to accomplish control of the windingcircuit of the motor in response to the speed of rotation thereof, asuitable speed responsive device, shown as a centrifugal operatingmechanism 34's, is mounted on shaft 32 and adapted to operate a switchassembly 36 embodying the present invention, the switch being describedin detail hereinafter.

The centrifugal mechanism 34 is mounted on shaft 32 for rotationtherewith between switch assembly 36 and rotor member 3i). As seen inFIG. l, the mechanism 3ft includes a bracket 3S secured to shaft 32,such as by press fitting it thereon, a pair of spring biased centrifugalWeight units 4t) pivotally mounted on hinge pins dit fixed to oppositesides of the bracket, and an axially movable and rotatable sleeve orcollar member 42. The weight units are normally biased toward oneanother by a pair of springs 43 (one shown) connected between the endsof the weight units at each side of the shaft. The springs 43 extendlengthwise in portions of a circular groove i4 provided in the sleevemember. The sleeve member is axially movable on the shaft by springs 43in response to movement of centrifugal weight units 4d. At rest, andwhen the centrifugal mechanism is rotating below its critical orpredetermined speed, springs 43 bias the weight units toward each otherwhile urging sleeve 42 to the left, this being the condition of themechanism as seen in FIG. l. When the shaft and centrifugal mechanismexceed the predetermined speed of rotation, weight units iti pivotoutwardly from each other tensioning springs 43 which then pull thesleeve to the right, this being the condition indicated in FIG. 3 wheresleeve 42; is shown spaced from switch assembly 36.

The improved switch assembly 36, as illustrated in the drawings,includes a generally L-shaped mounting or base plate 48 formed, forexample, from a suitable insulating material such as berboard. Theinsulating plate 48 is secured within the motor housing adjacent thecentrifugal mechanism by a plurality of mounting lugs 49. Terminal studst), 5l, 52 and 53 for providing lead connections are mounted on thelonger leg of the plate 4S, and the switch structure is mounted on theshorter leg adjacent the end of the plate. An opening is provided in theplate adjacent the switch structure for mounting, where desired, aconventional protective or overload device 56 which is shown in FIG. 4attached to the mounting plate 43. In order to simplify the drawings forsake of clarity, the overload device 56 is shown only in FIGS. 4 and 7.The Winding circuit, including the connections to the terminal studs andoverload device, will be described hereinafter.

The switch structure includes two spaced stationary contacts 58 and 59fixed to the inner side of the plate 48, which side faces the stator androtor members of the motor. Electric terminals 6i) and 6l are secured tothe opposite ends of stationary contacts 5S and 59 adjacent the oppositeor outer side of the plate to provide electrical connections to thecontacts. The stationary contacts 58 and 59 are adapted to berespectively engaged by spaced movable contacts 63 and 6d fixed to aContact carrying member 66 which is resiliently biased from the innerside of mounting plate 48. The member 66 is preferably made ofconductive leaf spring metal which may be stamped, for example, frombronze sheet metal. The member 66 has one end attached to the plate 4Sby means of rivets 68 and is biased from the plate by providing a bendor crease therein, such as indicated at 69. In this way, the lower endof member 66 is biased from plate 48 by the inherent resiliency thereof.The Contact carrying member is shown rectangular in shape having anopening "7@ and longitudinally extending parallel legs 71 and 72 joinedat their lower ends by a laterally extending leg or end portion 73. Theupper ends of the legs are joined together and end in a terminal tab 74which provides means for making an electrical connection vto the member66 and its contacts 63 and 64. The

contacts 63 and 64tare disposed on the leaf spring legs il '7i and 72,respectively in biased aligned relation with stationary contacts 58 and59.

The switch assembly also includes a switch actuating member shown as aY-shaped member 76 mounted on plate 48 for pivotal movement relativethereto. The actuating member is formed with arms 77 and 73 whichstraddle the shaft 32, the free ends of the arms being engageable withsleeve member 42 of centrifugal mechanism 34. A pair of spaced bosses 79extend from one side of the actuating member and bear against themounting plate 4S between legs 71 and 72 of the contact carrying member66 to provide a fulcrum for the actuating member intermediate its ends.The actuating member is normally biased from the plate by a biasingspring Si? disposed on a mounting pin 81 attached to the actuatingmember adjacent the upper end thereof. As seen more clearly in FIG. 5,the pin Si extends through an opening 82 in the plate 48 with the springdisposed between a head or enlarged end of the pin and the outer side ofthe plate. As seen in FiG. 3, spring 80 urges the upper end of theactuating member 76 toward the plate with the actuating member 76pivoting at the fulcrum provided by bosses 79 to thereby cause its lowerend to be biased outwardly from the inner side of the plate. Theactuating member is thus longitudinally pivotal relative to the plate,i.e., the actuating member is pivotal at the fulcrum provided by bosses79 such that the lower portion thereof is movable in a direction towardand away from the plate. Because there is some looseness of the mountingpin 81 in the opening SZ, the actuating member is also able to move andturn at various angles, within limits, relative to the mounting plate.The two spaced bosses 79 act to stabilize the actuating member andmaintain the ends of the two arms 77 and '78 of the actuating member inparallel relation when biased outwardly of the plate. For the purpose oflimiting the outward movement of actuating member 76, a stop member 83is liixed to the actuating member. The stop member extends through aslotted opening 84 in the plate and has an enlarged end which isengageable with the outer side of the plate adjacent the slot portion ofthe opening to limit the travel of the actuating member.

As seen in FIG. 4, the upper portion of actuating member 76 is disposedlaterally between the legs '7l and 72 of contact carrying member 66 withthe actuating member overlying end portion 73 of member 66. A pivotalabutment member S5 is disposed between the facing surfaces of members 66and 76 to permit pivotal movement of member 76 relative to member 66 andconcert movement of the members 66 and 'I6 in response to a forceapplied to member 76 by sleeve member 42 of the centrifugal mechanism.Abutment member 85 is shown for illustration in the form of a rivet xedto the actuating member and having a rounded or semi-spherical end orhead to provide a substantially point contact engagement with the member66. The pivotal abutment member 85 provides a fulcrum for actuatingmember 76, so that the actuating member is pivotal about the point atWhich the member 85 engages the contact carrying member.

When actuating member 76 is moved toward the mounting plate by sleeve42, pivotal abutment member 85 engages end portion 73 of contactcarrying member 66 at a point laterally between the two contacts 63 and64. Preferably, member 85 abuts member 66 at a point equidistant fromthe two contacts to insure that equal contact pressures are applied atthe two spaced sets of contacts. As shown in the drawings, and moreclearly in FIG. 6, abutment member S5 engages member 66 at a pointequidistant from contacts 63 and 64.

When sleeve 42 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, the lower endof actuating member 76 is pivotally moved in a generally axial directionabout the fulcrum provided by bosses 79, and the contact carrying memberis moved in concert with the actuating member to effect engagement ofcontacts 63 and 64 with contacts 5S and S9, respectively, After themovable contacts engage the stationary contacts, the actuating memberthen pivots aty the fulcrum provided by abutment 85 to maintain thecontacts under pressure. As seen in FIGS. l and 5, bosses 79 move out ofengagement with plate 48, the force applied to the actuating memberovercoming the biasing force of spring 80. When the sleeve member movesto the right, the biasing force of spring 80 and the inherent biasingforce of leaf spring member 66 cause the lower ends of member 76 andmember 66 to move to the right so that contacts 63 and 64 are moved awayfrom their co-operating contacts 58 and 59.

While actuating member 76 is longitudinally pivotal relative to themounting plate 48 and contact carrying member 66, it being pivotal atthe fulcrums provided by bosses 79 and abutment member 85 in response toaxial movement of sleeve member 42, the actuating member is also pivotalrelative to the contact carrying member in response to any irregularmovement or wobble 'produced by the engagement of sleeve 42 with theactuating member during the starting period of the motor. For example,the actuating member is also laterally pivotal relative to the contactcarrying member as is indicated in FIG. 6 where the actuating member isshown tilted relative to the contact carrying member. In other Words,the actuating member is pivotal about its geometric center which isindicated by the longitudinally extending dashed line 86 in FlG. 2. Aspreviously mentioned herein, the actuating member of a switch of thistype usually wobbles when it is engaged by the rotating sleeve of thecentrifugal mechanism; however, with the switch assembly disclosedherein, such irregular motion is not transmitted to contact carryingmember 66 since the actuating member is pivotal relative thereto at thefulcrum provided by pivotal abutment member 85. With this construction,even though the actuating member wobbles when the rotating sleeve 42 isin engagement therewith, the member 66 remains substantially stationaryto maintain contacts 63 and 64 in good contact engagement withstationary contacts 58 and 59, respectively.

The switch assembly 36 is also shown including a third set of contactsfor closing and opening another portion of the motor circuit as will beexplained hereinafter. As illustrated in the drawings, a bracket S7 isxed to mounting plate 48 by rivets 88, the bracket extending outwardlyfrom the inner side of the mounting plate and overlying a surface areaof member 66. A stationary contact 39 is fixed to one end of the bracket87 for engagement with a movable contact 90 secured to the contactcarrying member in aligned relation with Contact 89. Bracket 87 isprovided with an integral terminal portion, indicated at S7', to providemeans for connecting a circuit lead to the bracket and Contact 39. lnthe drawings, contact 90 is shown integral with contact 64 which is atthe opposite side of member 66. When the sleeve member is moved to theright out of engagement with actuating member 76, the contacts 63 and 64are moved out of engagement with their associated contacts 58 and 59 andthe contact 90 is moved into engagement with contact 89 due to thebiasing force inherent in member 66. This engagement also limits theoutward movement ot contact carrying member 66. When the sleeve membermoves to the left to effect engagement of contacts 63 and 64 withcontacts 58 and 59, respectively, the contact 9i) moves out ofengagement with contact 89. i

In assembling the switch, the actuating member which may be stamped andformed from any suitable sheet metal, may be assembled to the mountingplate after the member 66 is attached. The stop member 83 and pivotalabutment member S5 may be conveniently attached to the actuating memberby peening or riveting operations. The opening 84 in the mounting plateis made large enough to permit insertion of the stop member 83 duringassembly. Mounting pin 81 which carries bias spring may be insertedthrough opening 82 in the plate and riveted to the actuating member.Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a motor circuit utilizing theimproved switch assembly wherein the winding 24 will be assumed to be ahigh speed running winding, and winding 26 a low speed running winding,the motor being operable at two different speeds. The switch is shownschematically in FlG. 7 in its motor starting condition. The runningwinding 24 is shown with one end connected by a lead 10i) to terminalstud 50 and the other end of the Winding to terminal stud 51 by a lead101. Terminal stud 51 is connected by a lead 102 through a heatingelement 103 and a bimetallic element 104 of the overload device 56 andthence by a lead 105 to terminal stud 52, which stud may be used as acommon terminal for connection to one side of an alternating voltagesource lue. The other side of the voltage source is shown connected, forexample, through a two-position switch 106 to terminal stud 53 which, inturn, is connected to terminal stud S0 by a lead 167, engaging contacts58 and 63, and a lead 108. Thus, winding 24 is connected across terminalstuds 52 and 53 through co-operating contacts 58 and 63s, and Contactcarrying member 66 of the switch assembly. Starting winding 28 is alsoconnected across terminal studs 52 and 53. As shown, winding 2S has oneend connected by a lead 109 to stationary contact 59 which is engaged bymovable contact 64 which, in turn, is electrically connected throughmember 66 and lead 167 to terminal stud 53. The other end of winding 28is connected through a phase shifting capacitor 110 and a lead 111 toterminal stud 51 and thence by a lead 102, elements 163 and 104 of theoverload device, and lead ltlfl to terminal stud 52. The low speedwinding 26 has one end connected through a lead 112, another heatingelement 113 and the element 194 of overload device 56, and lead 165 toterminal stud 52. The other end of winding 26 is connected by lead 114to stationary contact S9, which contact is shown out of engagement withits associated movable contact 90, the contact 9i) being connected toterminal stud 53 through member 66 and lead 197.

When the voltage of source 166 is applied to terminal studs k52 and 53,it will be seen that high speed running windin 24 and starting winding28 are energized through the two sets of engaged contacts 58 and 63, and59 and 64, respectively, to start the motor. After the motor reaches thecritical or predetermined speed of rotation, the centrifugal forcesovercome the biasing forces of springs 43 of the centrifugal mechanismcausing sleeve member 42 to move out of engagement with the actuatingmember. This causes contacts 63 and 64 to move out of engagement withtheir associated contacts 58 and 59 and to move contact 9h intoengagement with Contact 89. This action disconnects running winding 24and starting winding 2S from the voltage source and connects low speedruiming winding 26 through engaging contacts 89 and 90 to the voltagesource. The motor then runs on low speed winding 26.

lf it is desired to connect the motor for high speed running operation,one side of the voltage source is connected to terminal stud 5t? insteadot to terminal stud 53 to thereby impress the voltage of source 196across terminal studs Srl and 52. yThis change in connection may bemade, for example, by moving the contact arm of switch 166 to its otherindicated switch position. With the voltage impressed across studs 50and 52, it will be seen that the motor will start, as before, with highspeed running winding 24 and starting winding Z8 energized, the lowerend of winding 2S being connected to terminal stud -S through engagingcontacts 59 and 64, and 58 and 63, and lead 16S. When the critical speedis reached, only the starting winding circuit is opened, high speedwinding 24 remaining energized since terminal stud 50 is now directlyconnected to the voltage source. In this particular example ofoperation, the motor starts and runs with high speed winding 24energized, the low speed winding 26 not being used.

While the switch assembly of the present invention has been shownutilized in the motor circuit of FIG. 7, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the switch assembly can be used in other circuitarrangements.

Although sleeve 42 and actuating member 76 may wobble when in engagementduring the motor starting period due to such things as slightirregularities in their engaging surfaces, a slight looseness of thesleeve on the shaft, unbalance in rotating parts, or the like, thecontact carrying member 66 is maintained substantially stationary sincethe actuating member is permitted to pivot relative thereto at thefulcrum provided by pivotal abutment member 85. This substantiallyprevents any pivoting of one contact on its co-operating contact andreduces mechanical and electrical noise as well as Contact wear. Also,since the actuating member is freely pivotal, within limits, at thefulcrum provided by pivotal abutment member 8S, the actuating membermoves in accordance with any irregular movement of the sleeve member orirregularities in the engaging surfaces of the sleeve and actuatingmember, and the noise resulting from the engagement of the switchactuating member and rotatable sleeve member is therefore considerablyreduced.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings have been given only by way of illustration andexample, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure,which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, arecontemplated as within the scope of the present invention which islimited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate of insulating material, apair of spaced contacts on said base plate, a conductive contactcarrying member mounted on said plate with one end resiliently biased inspaced relation to said plate, a pair of spaced movable Contact means onsaid contact carrying member at one side thereof to be engageablerespectively with said stationary contacts, a switch actuating memberseparate from said contact carrying member mounted on said plateindependently of said contact carrying member and having one endresiliently biased in spaced relation to said plate, said contactcarrying member having a portion interconnecting said pair of movablecontact means for concert movement thereof, said actuating member havinga por-tion overlying said portion or" said contact carrying member, andpivotal engagement means on one of said portions engageable with theother of said portions so that said actuating member is pivotal relativeto said contact carrying member and operable to move the biased end andsaid portion of said contact carrying member toward said base plate toconcertly move said pair of movable contact means into engagement withsaid contacts, respectively, in response to a force applied to saidactuating member.

2. In combination with a rotatable device and a centrifugal mechanismhaving a movable element responsive to the speed of said device, of aswitch comprising a plate of insulating material, a pair of spacedstationary contacts mounted on said plate, a leaf spring member havingone end rigidly secured to said plate and the other end biased from saidplate by the inherent resiliency thereof, said biased end of said springmember including spaced contact means for respective engagement withsaid contacts and a portion interconnecting said contact means forconcert movement thereof, an actuating member separate from said springmember pivotally mounted on said plate and adapted to be operated bysaid centrifugal mechanism, said actuating member overlying said portionof said biased end of said spring member, and pivotal engagement meansrigidly fixed to and extending outwardly from one side `of one of saidmembers and engageable with the other of said members to provide pivotalengagement between said portion of said spring member and said actuatingmcmber, said engagement means providing a fulcrum for said actuatingmember on said portion of said spring member for pivotal movement ofsaid actuating member relative to said spring member and concertmovement of said members toward said plate in response to a forceapplied to said actuating member by said movable element to concertlymove said contact means into engagement with said stationary contacts.

3. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate, two spaced stationarycontacts on said plate, a leaf spring member mounted on said base plateand including a pair of spaced legs having ends biased from said plateand a yoke joining the biased ends of said legs, a movable contact oneach leg of said spring member in aligned relation with said stationarycontacts respectively, an actuating member separate from said springmember mounted on said plate independently of said spring member withone end biased from said plate and with 4a portion overlying said yoke,said actuating member having means extending outwardly from one sidethereof defining a fulcrum therefor, said fulcrum bearing against saidplate between the legs of said spring member, stop means limiting themovement of said actuating member outwardly of said plate, and pivotalengagement means on one of said members engaging the other of saidmembers and disposed between said actuating member and said yoke wherebysaid actuating member is pivotally movable relative to said springmember and said members are movable in concert toward and away from saidplate for engagement and disengagement of said movable contacts withsaid stationary contacts respectively.

4. A switch mechanism comprising an insulating base plate, two spacedstationary contacts on said plate, a leaf spring member mounted on saidbase plate and including a pair of spaced legs having ends biased fromsaid plate and a yoke joining the biased ends of said legs, a movablecontact on each leg of said spring member in aligned relation with saidstationary contacts respectively, an actuating member separate from saidspring member mounted on said plate with one end biased from said plateand with a portion overlying said yoke, said actuating member havingpivotal means extending outwardly from one side thereof defining afulcrum therefor, resilient means connected with said actuating meansand urging said fulcrum into engagement with said plate between the legsof said spring member and said portion of said actuating memberoutwardly of said plate, stop means connected between said base plateand said actuating member for limiting the movement of said end of saidactuating member outwardly of said plate, and pivotal engagement meanson said portion of said actuating member engageable with said yoke, saidactuating member being pivotally movable on said plate against saidresilient means in response to an applied force thereon to urge saidpivotal engagement means against said yoke and said movable contactsinto engagement with said stationary contacts, respectively.

5. A switch mechanism adapted to be operated by a speed responsivedevice comprising a mounting pla-te of insulating material, first andsecond spaced stationary contacts on one side of said plate, a leafspring member having one end fixed to said plate and the other endnormally biased from said plate by the inherent resiliency thereof,iirst and second spaced movable con-tacts secured at one side of saidspring member adjacent said other end in aligned relation with saidlirst and second stationary contacts, respectively, a third movablecontact secured to said spring member at the other side thereof, a thirdstationary contact, means for mounting said third stationary contact inspaced aligned relation with said third movable contact, said thirdmovable contact being normally urged into engagement with said thirdstationary contact by said inherent resiliency of said spring member, anactuating member separate from said spring member mounted on said platetor movement relative to said plate, said actuating member overlying aportion of said other end of said spring member, pivotal abutment meanson said actuating means engageable with the other side of said springmember for pivotal movement of said actuating member relative to saidspring member and effect concert movement of said members toward saidplate to effect engagement of said irst movable contact with said iirststationary conltact and said second movable contact with said secondstationary contact and disengagement of said third movable andstationary contacts in response to a force applied to said actuatingmember by said speed responsive device.

6. A switch mechanism for an electric motor adapted to be operated by acentrifugal device having an axially movable sleeve mounted on the shaftof the motor comprising a plate of insulating material mounted adjacentsaid shaft, a pair of spaced stationary contacts on one side thereof,connection means for connecting said contacts in the Winding circuit ofthe motor, a leaf spring member having one end rigidly secured to saidplate and the other end biased from said plate, a pair of spaced movablecontacts on said spring member adjacent the biased end thereof fore-ngagement with said stationary contacts, respectively, an actuatingmember separate from said spring member mounted on said plate formovement relative thereto, resilient means biasing one end of saidactuating member from said plate, means limiting the movement of saidone end of said actuating member outwardly of said plate, said actuatingmember vhaving a first portion overlying a portion of said biased end ofsaid spring member and a second portion in aligned relation with saidsleeve `for engagement therewith, and pivotal engagement means extendingoutward- -ly from one of said members toward the other of said membersand disposed between said iirst portion of said actuating member andsaid biased end of said spring member, 'said pivotal engagement meansbeing engageable with said other of said members whereby said actuatingmember is pivotally movable relative to said spring member and saidmembers are movable in concert toward said plate for engagement of saidmovable contacts with said stationary contacts respectively when a forceis applied to said actuating member by said sleeve.

'7, In an electrodynamic machine having a shaft, and a centrifugalmechanism on the shaft including a sleeve element movable axially inresponse to the speed of rotation of the shaft, a switch mountedadjacent said shaft adapted to be actuated by the sleeve element of saidcentrifugal mechanism for closing and opening an electric circuitcomprising a base plate of insulating material, a pair of spacedstationary contacts on said plate connected in said electric circuit, aresilient member connected to said plate adjacent one side thereof, saidresilient member having a pair of spaced legs biased from said plate anda yoke joining adjacent ends of the legs, contact means on each of saidlegs in aligned relation respectively with said stationary contacts forengagement therewith, an actuating member, pivotal abutment meansextending outwardly from one side of said actuating member providing afulcrum bearing against said plate between -said legs of said resilientmember, pin means secured to said actuating member adjacent one endthereof, said pin means extending through an opening provided in saidplate, a spring on said pin means at the other side of said plate forbiasing said one end ot' said actuating member toward said plate and theother end thereof away from said plate, said actuating mem-ber overlyinga portion of said yoke and having a portion adapted to be engaged bysaid sleeve element, and pivotal engagement means extending voutwardlyfrom one side of said actuating member toward said yoke for providing afulcrum for said actuating member for pivotal movement of said actuatingmember relative to said resilient member and concert movement of saidmembers to effect engagement of said stationary contacts and saidcontact mea-ns in response to axial movement of said sleeve element inone direction yfor closing said electric circuit, said members beingmovable away from said plate for disengagement o said contact means andsaid stationary contacts in response to movement of said sleeve elementin the opposite direction.

8. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate, a pair of spaced contactson said plate, a Contact member connected to said plate including a pairof spaced contact means adapted for respective engagement with saidcontacts and a portion resiliently urged from said pla-te and saidcontacts and interconnecting said spaced contact means for concertmovement thereof toward engagement with said contacts, actuating meansseparate from said contact member mounted on said plate independently ofsaid contact member for pivotal movement relative to said plate, andresilient means urging said yactuating means from said plate, saidportion of said contact member being disposed between said plate andsaid actuating means, said actuating means pivotally engaging saidportion of said contact member at a point between said spaced contactmeans for pivotal movement of said actuating means relative to saidcontact member and move said contact member in concert therewith towardsaid plate to concertly urge said spaced Contact means into engagementwith said contacts in response to an applied torce on said actuatingmeans.

9. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate, a pair ot spacedstationary contacts on said plate, a contact member connected to saidplate including a pair of spaced Contact means rthereon for respectiveengagement with said contacts and resiliently urged from said plate andsaid contacts, said contact member having a portion thereotinterconnecting said contact means for concert movement thereof towardengagement with said contacts, an actuating member separate from saidcontact member mounted on said plate independently of said contactmember tor pivotal movement relative to said iplate, resilient meansconnected with said actuating member and urging one end thereof fromsaid plate, and pivotal abutment means on one ot said members engagablewith the other of said members to provide substantially point contactengagement between said members, said actuating member being in pointcontact engagement with said portion of said contact member at a pointbetween said spaced contact means to urge said spaced contact means intoengagement with said contacts and permit pivotal movement of saidactuating member relative to said contact member when a force is appliedon said actuating member.

l0. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate, a pair of spacedcontacts on said base plate, leaf spring member having one side facingsaid plate with one end xed to said plate and the other end thereofnormally biased away from said plate, spaced contact means on said oneside of said spring member adjacent to said other end thereof forrespective engagement with said contacts, said spring member including aportion interconnecting said spaced contact means for concert movement,a movable actuating member separate from said spring member and mountedon said plate for pivotal movement relative to said plate and saidspring member, resilient means biased between said plate and actuatingmember normally urging a portion of said yactuating member into pivotalengagement with said plate and urging one end por-tion of said actuatingmember in a direction away from said plate and said spring member, saidactuating member overlying said portion of said spring member, and pointcontact engagement means on Said actuating member for engagement w-ithsaid portion of said .spring member at a point between said spacedcontact means to provide pivotal movement of said actuating memberrelative to said spring member and `concert movement of said spring andactuating members toward said plate to effect engagement of said spacedcontact means with said contacts when an actuating force is applied onsaid one end portion of said actuating member.

ll. A switch mechanism comprising a mounting plate, a pair of spacedstationary contacts on said plate, .a spring il l member having opposedends, one of said ends being fixed to said plate and the other of saidends being biased from said plate by the inherent resiliency of saidspring member, said spring member including a pair of spaced movablecontacts adjacent said other end in aligned relation With saidstationary contacts, respectively, for respective engagement therewith,and a yoke portion interconnecting said movable contacts for concertmovement toward eng-agement with said stationary contacts, an actuatingmember separate from said spring member mounted to said plate forpivotal movement relative to said plate and said spring member,resilient means biased between said plate and said actuating membernormally urging an end portion of said actuating member in a directionaway from said plate and said spring member, said actuating memberoverlying said yoke portion, and means pivotally engaged between saidactuating member and said yoke portion to provide pivotal movement ofsaid kactuating member relative to said spring member and substantiallyconcert movement of said actuating and spring members toward said plateto engage said movable contacts with said stat-ionary contacts inresponse to an actuating force applied on said actuating member adjacentto said end por-tion thereof.

12. A switch mechanism adapted to be operated by a speed responsivedevice comprising a mounting plate, a pair of spaced stationary contactson one side of said plate, a spring member having opposed ends, one ofsaid ends being fixed to said one plate side and the other of said endsbeing biased from said one plate side by the inherent resiliencythereof, said spring member including a pair of spaced movable contactsadjacent to said other end for respective engagement with saidstationary contacts and a yoke portion interconnecting said movablecontacts for concert movement, an actuating member separate from saidspring member and mounted on said plate for pivotal movement relative tosaid plate and said spring member, spring means connected between saidactuating member and said plate normally urging a portion of saidactuating member into pivotal engagement with said plate and anotherportion thereof in a direction away from said plate and spring member,said other portion of said actuating member overlying said yoke portionand adapted to have a force applied thereon by said speed responsivedevice, and Ipivotal abutment means on said actuating member forengagement with said yoke portion of said spring member between saidmovable contacts to provide for pivotal movement of said actuatingmember relative to said spring member and substantially concert movementof said spring and actuating members in a direction toward said plate toetect the engagement of said movable and stationary contacts when anactuating force is applied on said other portion of said actuatingmember by said speed responsive device` 13. A switch mechanismcomprising a base plate, a pair of contacts on said plate, a contactmember having a pair of spaced contact means for respective engagementwith said contacts, movable switch means pivotally engaged with saidplate and having an actuating portion for engagement with said contactmember, said contact member being separate from said switch means andconnected to said plate independently of said switch means and includinga resilient portion interconnecting said spaced contact means forconcert movement and normally urged away from said contacts towardengagement with said switch means, resilient means engaged between saidplate and switch means normally urging said -switch means into pivotalengagement with said plate and normally urging said actuating portion ina direction away from said plate and contact member, and pivotalabutment means on one of said portions engageable with the other of saidportions for pivotal movement of said switch means relative to saidcontact member, said switch means being pivotally movable on said plateagainst said resilient means in response t-o an applied actuating forceon said actuating portion to urge said resilient portion of said contactmember toward said plate and concertly move said spaced contact meansinto engagement with said contacts.

14. A switch mechanism comprising a base plate, a pair of spacedcontacts on said base plate, a contact member connected with said baSeplate and resiliently urged therefrom including spaced contact meansadapted for respective engagement with said contacts, and a portioninterconnecting said contact means for concert movement thereof towardengagement with said contacts, a movable actuating member separate fromsaid contact member and mounted on said base plate for pivotal movementrelative to Said base plate land contact member including a portionbiased from said plate and overlying said contact member portion fordriving engagement therewith, and pivotal abutment means disposed on oneof said portions for engagement with the other of said portions forpivotal movement of said actuating member relative to said contactmember and effect concert movement of said members toward said plate toengage said contact means with `said contacts in response to an appliedforce on said actuating member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,630 1/53Eckles 200-80 2,662,143 12/53 Eckles 200--80 2,683,844 7/54 SchaeferZ200-80 2,806,917 9/57 Hupp et al. 20G-80 2,812,401 11/57 Waters ZOO-802,908,785 10/59 Stayton 200-104 2,943,166 6/60 May 200-80 FOREIGNPATENTS 671,170 2/39 Germany.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

MAX L. LEVY, ROBERT K. SCHAEFER,

Examiners.

14. A SWITCH MECHANISM COMPRISING A BASE PLATE, A PAIR OF SPACEDCONTACTS ON SAID BASE PLATE, A CONTACT MEMBER CONNECTED WITH SAID BASEPLATE AND RESILIENTLY URGED THEREFROM INCLUDING SPACED CONTACT MEANSADAPTED FOR RESPECTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTACTS, AND A PORTIONINTERCONNECTING SAID CONTACT MEANS FOR CONCERT MOVEMENT THEREOF TOWARDENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONTACTS, A MOVABLE ACTUATING MEMBER SEPARATE FROMSAID CONTACT MEMBER AND MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PLATE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENTRELATIVE TO SAID BASE PLATE AND CONTACT MEMBER INCLUSING A PORTIONBIASED FROM SAID PLATE AND OVERLYING SAID CONTACT MEMBER PORTION FORDRIVING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, AND PIVOTAL ABUTMENT MEANS DISPOSED ON ONEOF SAID PORTIONS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER OF SAID PORTIONS FORPIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID CONTACTMEMBER AND EFFECT CONCERT MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERS TOWARD SAID PLATE TOENGAGE SAID CONTACT MEANS WITH SAID CONTACTS IN RESPONSE TO AN APPLIEDFORCE ON SAID ACTUATING MEMBER.